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Despite the fact that the Swans overall haven't had a great year so far (although it is certainly trending in the right direction), there are a couple of players that have been brilliant.
Nic Newman had never played an AFL game before this year and was only elevated from the rookie listed in the off season. He debuted R2 v Bulldogs and since then has missed only Rounds 5 & 7. Despite his relative inexperience and having missed 3 games, despite having been dropped twice as well as being omitted from the Round 1 side, I was blown away to discover he is the Swans player with the most votes in the AFLCA player of the year count!
The other player who has really lifted his game to another level this year and would have to be on track for a podium finish in the B&F (for the first time) is Jakey Lloyd. Sensational season. He currently ranks top 10 in the entire AFL for most effective disposals this season. He is also ranked top 12 in the entire AFL in another 6 statistical categories: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/p...ns--jake-lloyd! It was impressive when he snuck up to 7th finish in the B&F last year, ahead of Tom Mitchell. I almost thought that was some kind of a fluke - but it certainly wasn't. If he doesn't win the B&F he will certainly be the most improved of all the players in the best 22 last year with Zak Jones (who has also had an excellent season) a distant second.
They are the standouts, but the other two players I would like to highlight who is having a season far better than could have been forecast are Will Hayward and Lewis Melican. Hayward is the youngest player on our list and still only 18 years old but he has played more games than Nic Newman. He is not yet one of our best players but he has certainly done more than enough to justify his selection each week and, as a first year player, that is an outstanding effort. Last year it was said he needed to work on his fitness. Apparently one of the reasons we selected him was because he did that. Apparently he did a good job because he has made the transition to AFL level and has not missed a game since his debut in round 2. The class and effort and skill he shows each week (especially last week!) are enough to bring joy to any Swans fan's heart.
Melican is yet another success story. We took him with pick 52 in the 2015 rookie draft (the same rookie draft that netted us Nic Newman and Jordan Foote - nice going recruiters!) His first couple of years were marred by injury and despite a couple of industry wiseheads giving him a good rap and some consequent upbeat accompanying expectations, he sunk into relative obscurity over 2015-2016. We didn't give up on him but his day in the sun did not appear to be imminent at the end of last year, at least not before the NEAFL GF. However he obviously had a great off-season and earned his way into the seniors during the JLT series. He didn't keep his place for Round 1 but he kept working away. Come round 5 v Giants he won his debut ahead of players like the more celebrated Aliir Aliir, the more experienced Michael Talia and the higher draft pick, Jack Maibaum. Despite losing to GWS, he kept his place all the way up until last week and we will find out later today whether he will be recalled to face the Dons tomorrow night. Any which way you look at it, it has been a breakout season for him and another big win for the Swans and our recruiting staff.
Other noteable mentions: Jordan Dawson who is having a sensational year in the NEAFL and has also played his first AFL game; Sam Murray who is tearing it up in the twos in his second year at the club; Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley who are developing and improving on their 2016 seasons with Papley justifying an opportunity to play in the midfield as well as forward and Heeney moving into the midfield full-time with great success. Also great to Sam Reid back on the park. Sam Fisher. Toby Pink (in my book anyway). RHYCE SHAW!! You got more?
Nic Newman had never played an AFL game before this year and was only elevated from the rookie listed in the off season. He debuted R2 v Bulldogs and since then has missed only Rounds 5 & 7. Despite his relative inexperience and having missed 3 games, despite having been dropped twice as well as being omitted from the Round 1 side, I was blown away to discover he is the Swans player with the most votes in the AFLCA player of the year count!
The other player who has really lifted his game to another level this year and would have to be on track for a podium finish in the B&F (for the first time) is Jakey Lloyd. Sensational season. He currently ranks top 10 in the entire AFL for most effective disposals this season. He is also ranked top 12 in the entire AFL in another 6 statistical categories: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/p...ns--jake-lloyd! It was impressive when he snuck up to 7th finish in the B&F last year, ahead of Tom Mitchell. I almost thought that was some kind of a fluke - but it certainly wasn't. If he doesn't win the B&F he will certainly be the most improved of all the players in the best 22 last year with Zak Jones (who has also had an excellent season) a distant second.
They are the standouts, but the other two players I would like to highlight who is having a season far better than could have been forecast are Will Hayward and Lewis Melican. Hayward is the youngest player on our list and still only 18 years old but he has played more games than Nic Newman. He is not yet one of our best players but he has certainly done more than enough to justify his selection each week and, as a first year player, that is an outstanding effort. Last year it was said he needed to work on his fitness. Apparently one of the reasons we selected him was because he did that. Apparently he did a good job because he has made the transition to AFL level and has not missed a game since his debut in round 2. The class and effort and skill he shows each week (especially last week!) are enough to bring joy to any Swans fan's heart.
Melican is yet another success story. We took him with pick 52 in the 2015 rookie draft (the same rookie draft that netted us Nic Newman and Jordan Foote - nice going recruiters!) His first couple of years were marred by injury and despite a couple of industry wiseheads giving him a good rap and some consequent upbeat accompanying expectations, he sunk into relative obscurity over 2015-2016. We didn't give up on him but his day in the sun did not appear to be imminent at the end of last year, at least not before the NEAFL GF. However he obviously had a great off-season and earned his way into the seniors during the JLT series. He didn't keep his place for Round 1 but he kept working away. Come round 5 v Giants he won his debut ahead of players like the more celebrated Aliir Aliir, the more experienced Michael Talia and the higher draft pick, Jack Maibaum. Despite losing to GWS, he kept his place all the way up until last week and we will find out later today whether he will be recalled to face the Dons tomorrow night. Any which way you look at it, it has been a breakout season for him and another big win for the Swans and our recruiting staff.
Other noteable mentions: Jordan Dawson who is having a sensational year in the NEAFL and has also played his first AFL game; Sam Murray who is tearing it up in the twos in his second year at the club; Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley who are developing and improving on their 2016 seasons with Papley justifying an opportunity to play in the midfield as well as forward and Heeney moving into the midfield full-time with great success. Also great to Sam Reid back on the park. Sam Fisher. Toby Pink (in my book anyway). RHYCE SHAW!! You got more?
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